abrupt
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
an abrupt change
"What happened?" said Hermione anxiously, stopping so abruptly that Harry walked into her.
abruptly = suddenly and unexpectedly
Definition
Generally this sense of abrupt means:sudden and unexpected
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 15 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
accompany
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
accompany on the journey
He transformed back into the great black dog and walked with Harry and Dumbledore out of the office, accompanying them down a flight of stairs to the hospital wing.
accompanying = traveling with
Definition
Generally this sense of accompany means:to travel along with
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
alternative
3 uses
1 —3 uses as in:
an alternative plan
Harry had never known so many people to put their names down to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas; he always did, of course, because the alternative was usually going back to Privet Drive, but he had always been very much in the minority before now.
alternative = other possibility
Definition
Generally this sense of alternative means:something available as another possibility
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 17 |
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beckon
12 uses
At that moment, the dungeon door opened, and Snape beckoned them all inside.
beckoned = called (to come by using a hand gesture or a nod)
Definition
Generally beckon means:to call — typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
Word Statistics
| Book | 12 uses |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 9 |
bewilder
13 uses
Bewildered, wondering what on earth he was supposed to have done this time, Harry got up...
bewildered = confused
Definition
Generally bewilder means:to confuse someone
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 17 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
conjure
29 uses
...with a flick of his wand, Bill reattached the table leg and conjured tablecloths from nowhere.
conjured = created by magic
Definition
Generally conjure means:summon into action or bring into existence — often as if by magic
Word Statistics
| Book | 29 uses |
| Library | 11 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 32 |
contrary (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 7 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
on the contrary
They did not blame him for what had happened; on the contrary, both thanked him for returning Cedric's body to them.
on the contrary = an expression used to intensify denial of an idea
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
2 —1 use as in:
to the contrary
"These deaths were not the random work of a lunatic!"
"I see no evidence to the contrary!" shouted Fudge, now matching her anger, his face purpling.
"I see no evidence to the contrary!" shouted Fudge, now matching her anger, his face purpling.
to the contrary = with an opposite or different effect; or something with an opposite or different effect
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 36 |
contrast (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 3 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
there is a contrast
Harry could see him sweating in the torchlight, his white skin contrasting strongly with the black of his hair and beard.
contrasting = notably different (in brightness or tone)
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:a difference — especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 8 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
2 —1 use as in:
it is a contrast
A wizard had just Apparated at their fireside, and he could not have made more of a contrast with Ludo Bagman, sprawled on the grass in his old Wasp robes.
contrast = something notably different compared (with something)
Definition
Generally this sense of contrast means:something noticeably different (compared to something else or to other things)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
correspond (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 4 uses
1 —1 use as in:
corresponding by email
"You are not Sirius's only correspondent," said Dumbledore.†
correspondent = someone who communicates in writing
Definition
Generally this sense of correspond means:communicate by writing letters or email
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 30 |
2 —3 uses as in:
foreign correspondent of the paper
The boy who defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is unstable and possibly dangerous, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent.†
correspondent = reporter
Definition
Generally this sense of correspondent means:a reporter — typically from a foreign country or with a particular expertise
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
curt
10 uses
"Out of the way, Arthur," said a cold, curt voice.
curt = brief to the point of rudeness
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
direct (3 meanings)
3 meanings, 12 uses
1 —6 uses as in:
directly above; or buy direct from
Some of you in this Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort.†
directly = personally (person-to-person)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straight (exactly where stated); or without involvement of anything in between
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "The road runs directly to Las Vegas." — straight (without varying from a straight line)
- "It was a direct hit." — exact
- "The plant is in direct sunlight." — unobstructed (without anything in between)
- "She wants a direct meeting with him." — personal (without other people in between)
- "She paid direct attention to what he was reading." — close
- "a direct gaze" — straight, steady, or focused—not a brief glance taken while generally looking at other things; not a sideways look
Word Statistics
| Book | 6 uses |
| Library | 62 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 22 |
2 —1 use as in:
was direct in my instructions
You know, I'm starting to think it's time for more direct action.†
direct = straightforward (without involving extra factors)
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:straightforward (uncomplicated or simple — perhaps also indicating openness and honesty)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
3 —5 uses as in:
directed her question to
She illuminated her wand and directed its narrow beam across the path.†
directed = pointed
Definition
Generally this sense of direct means:to indicate direction; or to cause movement or focus in a direction or towards an object
The exact meaning of this sense of direct is subject to its context. For example:
- "intentionally directed fire at unarmed civilians" — aimed a gun
- "directed the question to her" — aimed a question
- "directed her north" — pointed in a particular direction
- "directed attention to the 3rd paragraph" — focused attention on a particular object
- "The sound of her voice directed him to the kitchen." — guided or gave directions to someone to help them move to a particular place
- "She directed him to the airport." — gave directions to send someone to a particular place
- "She directed the boat north." — steered it
- "directed the letter to" — send a letter to a particular person by putting a name and address on it
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 36 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
indignant
20 uses
"We weren't trying to hear him!" said Ron indignantly.
indignantly = angrily (at unjustly being accused of something wrong)
Definition
Generally indignant means:angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
Word Statistics
| Book | 20 uses |
| Library | 16 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
interpret (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
interpret Spanish to English
Maybe they need an interpreter.†
interpreter = someone who translates language
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to translate words into spoken words of another language
(This word is especially used in place of translate when the translation is done real-time, or on-the-fly, or immediately as needed.)
(This word is especially used in place of translate when the translation is done real-time, or on-the-fly, or immediately as needed.)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 24 |
2 —1 use as in:
her interpretation of the data
"You don't have to talk to Ron!" she added irritably, correctly interpreting his silence.†
interpreting = understanding (something in a particular way)
Definition
Generally this sense of interpret means:to understand or explain something in a particular way — often the meaning or significance of something
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 14 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 19 |
tentative
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
said it tentatively
Several hands rose tentatively into the air, including Ron's and Hermione's.
tentatively = in a hesitant, unsure manner
Definition
Generally this sense of tentative means:done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 14 |